In an extraordinary collaboration with prestigious international orchestras, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) will showcase a world premiere featuring one of the globe’s finest flautists.
Emily Beynon, performing for the first time in New Zealand, will take center stage in Wellington and Christchurch to debut Danses Concertantes Concerto No. 2 for Flute and Orchestra, a piece composed by Guillaume Connesson.
The French composer specifically wrote this work for Beynon, and she rehearsed it with him before its official debut. The concerto was co-commissioned by her home orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, alongside the NZSO, France’s Cité de la Musique-Philharmonie de Paris, and Finland’s Tapiola Sinfonietta.
Beynon, one of the world’s top five flautists, was born in Wales and has served as the principal flutist for the Royal Concertgebouw for over 25 years. Although she has received numerous accolades, having a piece composed specifically for her by Connesson is a remarkable honor.
“There’s so much of the essence of French music in his composition,” she shared. “The influence of jazz and rock and roll is clear in his work, and I imagine it’s the kind of music someone like Ravel would be composing if he were alive today.”
Beynon also expressed her gratitude toward the NZSO for their trust in the piece, even though the orchestra had agreed to co-commission the work without having seen a single note. After reviewing potential dates, it was decided that New Zealand would host the world premiere, with approval from the Royal Concertgebouw.
With support from the French Embassy, Connesson – one of the most performed contemporary French composers – will travel to New Zealand to witness the debut performances in both Wellington and Christchurch.
His visit coincides with Francophonie Month, a global celebration of the French language and francophone cultures, held each March.
This concerto will be part of the NZSO’s Pictures at an Exhibition concerts, under the baton of principal conductor Gemma New, who is leading the NZSO in her first of four concert tours with the orchestra in 2025, marking the beginning of the orchestra’s 2025 season.
The program will also feature Part 1 of From the Depths Sound the Great Sea Gongs by acclaimed New Zealand composer Gareth Farr, as well as Ravel’s 1922 adaptation of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. The concerts are scheduled for March 27 in Wellington and March 29 in Christchurch.
Beynon will bring her solid gold flute to New Zealand for the performance, a stunning instrument crafted by Haynes in the United States. While she owns several flutes, this one is her preferred instrument for the occasion. “Each of my instruments is unique in its sound, but I’ll be bringing the solid gold flute to New Zealand, which is simply a beautiful instrument,” she said.
In addition to performing, Beynon will also offer masterclasses in Auckland and Wellington, providing an invaluable opportunity for the next generation of New Zealand musicians.
Nevertheless, the highlight of her visit will undoubtedly be the premiere of Connesson’s concerto. “I’m absolutely thrilled to bring this European composition to New Zealand, and I truly hope the orchestra and the audience will enjoy it as much as I do,” Beynon said.
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